The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-01-06

Station. The first object of DE Couroeys atten-
tion was mill two miles up the creek valley,
said 10 contain n large amount OF corn. The
corn there slowed was wanted by Morgan, and
DE Courcey determined 10 seize it. The train
passed the fork of the road, where strong
guard was left 20 prevent its capture and se-
cure the return of the laden train. Col. DE
COurcey took the 10th Ohio and lsth KY and
companies ID, +, II, and g Of the AID Ohio,
with the train, and left Lieut.-Col Don A.
Pardee, of the a2d. with companies A, B, Z,
and X Of the 42d Ohio, and Fosters two guns,
10 guard the fork Of the road
Very soon signs Of the enemy were visible in
the vicinity of the junction of the roads where
Col Pandee was posted, and the Colonel quickly
made his dispositions for defense. He planted
one gun near the fork, so posted as TO rake the
road leading toward the Clinch Mountains, as
the attack was expected from that direction.
The other gun was posted on a sharp rise Of
ground 10 the right and rear of the other gun,
IN a favorable position 10 command the ap-
proach from either direction. Capt Il. G.
Bushnell, with his company-C, 42d o., 81
men-advanced a mile out on the Beans Sta
tiOn road and established an outpost. He took
position on a densely wooded eminence which
commanded the road some distance beyond.
Sergt Charles Il. Henry, Co. A, a2d (afterward
Capt. c. Il. Henry, late Marshal Of the District
of ColuRhial, with portion Of that company,
was posted i'm a cedar thicket near the fork OF
the road. Capt. Olds took the remainder Of
Co. 10 the support of the cannon in position
in the road. Col. Pardee disposed the three
other companies in squads in line at right
angles with the road, covering about a mile of
distance, thus making an exaggerated show of
his numerical strength.
Serg't o. j. Hopkins, of Co. *, at the request
OF Col. Pardec ascended an eminence in front
and little TO the left Of Pardees position and
made close observations OF the rebel move
ments, which he communicated 10 the Colonel
by means Of a crude system Of signal telegra-
ply previously agreed upon between them.
Certain gesticulations were to indicate infan-
try movements, certain attitudes meant the
approach Of cavalry and still others indicated
artillery. About o'clock the
GgRATIoNs AND GENUFLEcTIoNs
OF Hopkins began with great earnestness and
activity. lie first signaled that a column Of
cavalry was approaching; then shortly after
ward he dispatched Pardee that a body of in
fantry was moving IN his direction, and finally
that artillery was ia motion. His signals were
vigorously given for several minutes, when a
body of cavalry moved down the road toward
Co. C's position. The rebel troopers moved
unconcernedly forward, unaware that q foe
was lurking near.
Capt. Bushnell held his FIRE until the troopers
were within easy range, when he gave the
command:
"Ready-Aim-Fire!"
As those sharp, quick words Of command
were spoken the PrnsSian rifles of Co. descend
ed, and with a ringing shock were leveled at
the rebel troopers; then puffs Of smoke aud
sharp, quick flashes Of fire darted from their
muzzles. and large number of the enemy's
saddles were emptied, and several horses fell,
dead and wounded. Several rounds were fired
as fast as the men could reload. The troopers
did not return the fire, but, confused aud
stunned by the vigor and suddenness of the
attack, fed in confusion and disorder The
rebel infantry, however, came promptly TO the
support of the cavalry. and advanced in line Of
battle showing ats teeth, and evidently pre-
pared for fight.
Capt. Bushnell reported the danger Of his ex-
posed position 10 Col Pardee, and bis company
was promptly withdrawn 10 the main line.
Soon after q rebel battery advanced. and taking
position engaged Fosters guns. Fosters boys,
with characteristic prompiness and accuracy,
returned their fire, maintaining with them a
very picturesque artillery duel until dark,
warning DE Courcey. who heard the cannon
aiding, TO return TO Tazewel by another route
and avoid repassing the point where Pardee was
fighting. BY the ingenious ruse of displaying
has 200 men, marching and remarching them in
single rank. so that companies appeared like
battaliOns, Col. Pardee held SteVenson's force
in check until DE Courcey's escort had loaded
the wagons and returned with them 10 Taze-
well. III was one of the many
sKILLFUL AND BRILLIANT MAxuvERs
of the war Of which history has made no men,
tion. Stevenson wss quite sure that he was
confronting Morgans entire division all that
afternoon. he was nnder the impression that
Morgan was moving TO attack the Virginia e.
East Tennessee Railroad, and he accordingly
chose his position and awaited attack. high
aud commanding ridge lay back of Pardee's
position, about midway between Big Spring and
Tazewell, crossed by the road on which the ex-
pedition had advanced. To this ridge Col Par
dee retired and remained on guard until morn